Three things strike us in this war as hopeful for
the future, One is the readiness of the Reservists to respond to the call on them, a fact which will by and by enable us to keep a really considerable home army without unendurable expense. It suggests, too, that if ever England was invaded the hundreds of thousands who have been regularly trained and are now in civil life would step forward to defend her, and would be competent to do it. If we could only bring the Militia up to the Army level of discipline we should be safe beyond any conceivable danger. Another is the large increase in recruiting caused by the prospect of active service—proof that our lads of to-day do not fear the shells—and the third is the thorough devotion of our officers to their work. Examinations have certainly not taken the pluck out of them, while they have generated a new fore- thought and desire t-.) practise soldiership as an art. On the hill of Talana the officers, who were recklessly exposing themselves, were urgent with their men to avail themselves of cover. We hope we shall hear no more of the old nonsense that education takes the daring out of boys. It never was even believed true about the gentry, and the lads who charged over that terrible ridge had every one of them passed through Board-schools or voluntary schools.
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